Apparatus for improving bowling skill

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus providing a single central bowling pin (of standard size and weight) suspended from its upper end adjacent an alley area. Three simulated bowling pins (of standard size) are suspended on each side of the central pin, the axes of the pins being aligned in a single vertical plane transverse to the direction of travel of the bowling ball. The ball used is a conventional bowling ball and above the aligned pins is a triangular, multiple lamp arrangement, the lamps being energized to indicate splits, strikes etc. in response to actuation of properly placed probes by the ball as it moves through the line of pins. Return of the ball automatically resets the switches controlling lamp energization to ready the apparatus for the next ball rolled.

United States Patent Brosier Dec. 17, 1974 APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING BOWLING SKILL [76] Inventor: Richard H. Brosier, 266 S.

Washington Blvd., Hamilton,.Ohio 45013 [22] Filed: Mar. 7, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 448,938

[52] U.S. Cl. 1 273/41 [51 Int. Cl A63d 5/04 [58] Field of Search 273/41, 44, 54 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,286,254 12/1918 Drews 273/41 2,652,252 9/1953 Alexanderm. 273/41 X 3,009,268 11/1961 George, Sr... 1. 273/41 X 3,567,224 3/1971 Forgacs 273/41 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton 5 7] ABSTRACT Disclosed is an apparatus providing a single central bowling pin (of standard size and weight) suspended from its upper end adjacent an alley area. Three simulated bowling pins (of standard size) are suspended on each side of the central pin, the axes of the pins being aligned in a single vertical plane transverse to the direction of travel of the bowling ball. The ball used is a conventional bowling ball and above the aligned pins is a triangular, multiple lamp arrangemennthe lamps being energized to indicate splits, strikes etc. in response to actuation of properly placed probes by the ball as it moves through the line of pins. Return of the ball automatically resets the switches controlling lamp energization to ready the apparatus for the next ball rolled.

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APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING BOWLING SKILL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many types of simulated bowling games some utilizing an array of ten bowling pins and lamp means for indicating which pins were put down in a particular pass of the ball through the pin array. US. Pat. No. 2,346,428 discloses an apparatus utilizing a full array of internally lighted pins. US. Pat. No. 2,194,830 discloses use of light beams simulating pins and switches actuated directly by a miniaturized bowling ball. US. Pat. No. 3,595,574 discloses use of a full array of ten miniature lighted pins and an electrically conductive miniature ball with an electrical circuit arranged to indicate a strike when the pocket on either side of the head pin is entered by the ball. All of these devices are characterized by miniaturization. They do not utilize a conventionally sized and weighted bowling ball, thus, while useful as amusement devices in their own right, they do not offer a bowler the opportunity to practice and sharpen his bowling skill. The play on the miniaturized devices does not provide a skill directly transferable to a conventional bowling alley.

The apparatus of the present invention permits use of a conventional bowling ball, thus permits true bowling practice. The shortened alley portion and the single plane arrangement of the pin array permit the apparatus to be installed in a relatively small space, such as the basement, or playroom-den of a conventional home. Electrical switches incorporated in the apparatus indicate on a light-array board (the lights arranged in conventional ten-pin fashion) the number and pattern of pins knocked down as the ball passes through the single plane array of pins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention showing the alley, return chute, pins and display board.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 1, with side panels removed, and illustrating the progress of a bowling ball as it moves in the alley, engages a pin and enters the ball return path.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus, similar to FIG. 2, but showing more clearly other parts of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the row of pins and their actuating probes and controlling switches.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, front view of one of the visual indicators of the apparatus with the electrical circuit and controlling switches illustrated schematically.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the center pin and the two pins next adjacent thereto.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the apparatus taken from the rear face, that is from the opposite side of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the apparatus showing the ball return chute and switch details.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring initially to FIG. 1, there isshown an apparatus for perfecting bowling technique, the apparatus including an elongated alley area which may, if desired, be provided with sound deadening carpet. Enclosing one end of the alley area are side panels 1 l and a top panel 12. Forming the terminus of the alley area is a vertically mounted display board 13 upon which an array of 10 visual indicators is provided, the indicators being arranged in conventional, triangular ten-pin fashion. The visual indicators are adapted to be illuminated as will subsequently be described and are provided with visible numbers from 1 to 10 as indicated in FIG. 1.

Along one side margin of the alley area 15 there is provided a ball return chute indicated at 16. Suspended, and visible below the display board 13 is a row of seven bowling pins of conventional size indicated individually at A, B, C, D, E, F, and G in FIG. I. The center pin D is a conventionally sized, three-dimensional bowling pin, while the pins A, B, C, E, F and G are merely two-dimensional profile representations of a conventional bowling pin formed on flexible cloth or plastic material, this construction being particularly evident by comparing FIGS. 1 and 7. The pins are all suspended so as to extend closely adjacent to, but spaced above, the alley surface.

Referring to FIG. 2, the elongated alley area is defined by guard rails or side members 21 defining the side margins of the alley area which may be ten or more feet in length, a preferred length being 18 foot. An approximately six foot approach to the alley area is also necessary. As will be evident from FIG. 2, when a ball, indicated at 22 in FIG. 2, is released on the alley surface, it moves past the row of pins and moves up and over an elevated portion 23 onto a rear surface 24 and may engage the backstop 26. The surface 24 is inclined downwardly toward the righthand side of the alley (as viewed in FIG. 1) causing the ball after engaging the backstop to roll to the right side of the alley and enter the ball return chute 16. The base of the chute 16 is inclined downwardly toward the front of the apparatus so that the ball rolls, by gravity, down the ball return chute and is available there for reuse. As may be seen in FIG. 2 the structure is supported by a frame having side members 27 and 28 and a top member 29. Suspended from the frame members by means of suitable chains or cables 31 is a switch supporting base 32, a top plan view of the base 32 being shown in FIG. 5 and, in perspective, in FIG. 8.

Across the upper face of the base member 32, as may best be seen in FIG. 5, there are mounted a series of controlling switches of the toggle type whose circuits are closed when the actuating member is moved frontwardly (downwardly as viewed in FIG. 5). The controlling switches are of conventional type and are identified at 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43 and 44. Each of the switches is provided with a movable wire frame, one of which is identified at 330 in FIG. 5, and thewire frame is provided with a portion 33b which extends through a hole drilled in the operating toggle of the switch. Attached to one end of the frame is a tension spring 330 and to the other end a tension spring 33d. The tension spring 33d is attached to a chain 46 which passes beneath a pulley 47 and extends upwardly for attachment to a reset bar 48 (FIG. 8), the operation of which will be subsequently explained. Each of the switches 33-44 are provided with a similar actuating and reset device, the tension springs, comparable to the tension spring 33c, being identified by reference numeral of the switch with the suffix c.

Attached to the other end of the tension springs 33c is the horizontal upper end portion 33e of a depending probe 33f which extends closely adjacent the pin A. As may be seen in FIG. 5, the probe 33e33f is pivoted upon a horizontal axis defined by the pivot pin 33g so that if the bowling ball engages the simulated pin A as it moves through the pin it will pivot the probe 33f rearwardly, causing the probe portion 33e to tension the spring 330 sufficiently to move the member 33b to close switch 33. As will subsequently be pointed out, closure of switch 33 energizes one of the electrical bulbs forming the visual indicator 7 and illuminating that indicator. The other switches 34, 36, 39, 42, 43 and 44 are provided with similar actuating probes and reset mechanisms, corresponding parts being given the same suffix letter as those mentioned with reference to switch 33. Controlling switches 37 and 41 are actuated by a somewhat differently mounted probe member.

- The axis of the pivot pin 37g for the switch 37 is inclined and, aswill be evident from FIGS. 4 and 5, the

-depending'probe 37f (terminating at a higher level, to

clear the ball, than probes 33f, 34f, 36f, 42f, 43f and 44/) is free to move only in a direction inclined with reby ricocheting pin D only when the pocket or space between the pins E and D is traversed by the ball. Similarly, the pivot axis 41g of the foreshortened probe 41f (FIG. 4) is also inclined so that the switch 41 can be acmated to closed position only when the probe portion 41 f is moved angularly rearwardly, as indicated in FIG. 4, as occurs when the bowling ball traverses the space or pocket between the pins D and C.

Switch 38 (FIG. has a form of actuation differing from the other switches. Attached to its tension spring 38c is a flexible cable or chain 61 which passes over a pulley 62 and extends through an aperture in the base 32 and is attached to a clamping ring 63 which encircles the upper end of the pin D as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. As may best be seen in FIG. 7, the pin D is attached to the underside of the base 32 by means of a spring member 64 which functions to bias the pin D into an upright position but permits it to be forced into an inclined position by engagement of the bowling ball. It will be evident from FIGS. 4 and 5 that whenever the pin D is forced out of its vertical position even slightly, the switch 38 will be closed. The downwardly extending foreshortened probe portion 39f will be moved to actuate the switch 39 only when the pin D is deflected a substantial amount off the vertical axis.

As may be seen in FIG. 8, overlying the ball return chute 16 is a frame 71. A probe member having an upper portion 720 (FIG. 9) and a lower portion 72b is pivotally supported by the pin 73 (FIG. 9) which extends across an accommodating aperture in the frame member 71. The depending probe portion 72b is positioned in the chute so that it will be engaged by a ball returning through the chute (in an upwardly inclined direction as viewed in FIG. 8 and in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 9), and engagement of the probe portion 72b by the ball will cause the upper portion 72a of the probe to move correspondingly. As may be seen in FIG. 8, a hinged trap-door 74 is provided for the chute which permits balls to return down the chute but prevents accidental return of a ball backwards through the chute.

As may best be seen in FIG. 9 the upper end 720 of the probe member is attached to a tension spring 76. The other end of the spring 76 is fastened to the toggle member 77 of the ball return reset switch 78. Switch 78 is a conventional line-voltage toggle switch and, as will be evident from FIGS. 8 and 9, engagement of the returning ball with the probe portion 72b causes actuation of the reset switch 78. The rigid wire member 79 has a portion 79a which is biased by the tension spring 81 into holding engagement in back of the switch toggle member 77, the wire member 79 pivoting about the abutment 82 on the switch cover. Thus, as soon as the probe moves the switch toggle 77 to actuated position, the member 79a is pulled into locking position, holding the toggle from rebounding back to deactuated position, thus assuring that switch 78 is held closed after the momentary actuation of the probe.

A tension spring 83 is also connected to the switch toggle 77 and is further connected to a flexible chain 84 which, as schematically indicated in FIG. 9, is directed to and carried on an abutment 87 which extends from an eccentric arm 88, the arm being clamped to the elongated motor shaft 89. The shaft 89 is driven by a conventional electric motor with speed reducing gearing indicated schematically at 91. Energization of motor 91 is controlled by reset switch 78.

A wire member 79 has attached to its outwardly extending end a tension spring 92 and the spring is attached to the flexible chain 93 which is directed by means of suitable pulleys to a further abutment 94 moved by the eccentric lever 88 which is angularly moved by shaft 87. The chain 93 is rigidly attached to the abutment 94 but extends from that attachment through a suitable pulley and extends beneath a chain 96, the opposite ends of the chain 96 being attached to the reset bar 48 previously mentioned with reference to FIG. 8. Chain 93 extends over suitable pulleys and is attached at its free, extreme end to a counter balance weight 97.

The closure of switch 78 thus starts rotation of motor shaft 89 which functions to tension chain 93, lifting the reset bar 48 vertically upwardly and moving the wire member 79 pivotally clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 9) withdrawing the member 79a from locking position behind the toggle 77 of switch 78. Further rotation of the shaft 89 tensions the chain 84 sufficiently to move the toggle 77 of the switch 78 back to deactuated or opened position thereby stopping the motor 91 and reducing the tension on the chain 93 sufficiently to permit the reset bar 48 to again return to its lowermost position. Actuation of switch 78 thus causes the motor to operate only sufficiently to raise the bar 48 momentarily and then permits the bar to return to its lower position.

As previously mentioned, each of the ten controlling switches 3344 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided with a tension spring and chain exemplified by the chain 46 and tension spring 33d of the switch 33 shown in FIG. 5. These chains, extending around the pulleys (exemplified by pulley 47 in FIG. 5), extend upwardly and are attached to the reset bar 48. It will be evident that the raising of bar 48 functions to reset or deactuate back to open position each of the controlling switches 3344 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, one of the visual indicators (the indicator identified at 8 in FIG. 1) is shown in detail. As will be evident from FIG. 6, the indicator is formed by six small electrical light bulbs arranged behind a translucent, circular member each of the lights being connected, by means of one of the controlling switches previously referred'to with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 and schematically shown in FIG. 6, to a source of power. Thus, when one of the controlling switches 34, 36, 37, 39, 41 or 42 is closed by movement of its corresponding probe as previously explained, the indicator 8 will be illuminated. Energization of any one of the six small bulbs functions to illuminate the indicator. The other indicators are similar to indicator 8 shown in FIG. 6. Indicator 9 duplicates indicator 8 in that it has six bulbs. However, indicator 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 require only five bulbs, and indicators 1, 2 and 3 require only four light bulbs as will subsequently be explained.

In operation, referring particularly to FIG. 1, as a bowling ball released in the alley moves through the row of pins A-G, one or more of the visual indicators l10.on the board 13 will be illuminated depending upon the location of the pass of the ball through the row of pins. For example, if the ball moves through pin A so that only its probe 33f is moved, then only controlling switch 33 will be closed and one of the bulbs of the six bulbs forming the indicator 7 will be illuminated. Indicator 7 will thus be illuminated while the other nine indicators remain dark. As the ball moves over the surface 24 (FIG. 2) and back through the return chute 16, it will actuate the probe 72b (FIG. 8), which results in the motor shaft 89 rotating through one revolution to momentarily elevate then re-lower the reset bar 48 and again return or reset switch 33 to open position. If the next ball strikes or moves through pin B, moving its probe 34f, controlling switch 34 will be moved to closed position. Switch 34 controls energizing circuits to one of the lamps in indicators 4, 7and 8 and with these lamps energized, indicators 4, 7 and 8 will be illuminated, thus giving a pattern of illumination on the board 13 such as would be the case if there were 10 pins arranged in triangular fashion on the alley rather than the single row of pins. The pattern of illumination of the indicators thus represents the pattern of pins which would be knocked down if they were arranged in conventional, triangular bowling fashion. The return of the ball past the reset switch probe again returns all of the indicators to darkened condition. If the next ball should strike the pin C, closing its associated switch 36 this control switch, by its parallel connections to bulbs in the indicators 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, would cause these indicators 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 to be illuminated again simulating a pattern of pins knocked down. If the next ball should enter the row of pins through the CD pocket, the probe 41f will be moved by ricocheting pin D closing the switch 41..All ten of the indicators would thereupon be illuminated indicating a strike, controlling switch 37 controlling energization of one bulb in each of the ten indicators. A similar result will occur if the ball moves through the DE pocket closing switch strikes the head pin D only hard enough to actuate the switch 38 to closed position, but leaving switch 39 open, only indicator 1 will be illuminated. If the ball moves through pinE, switch 42 will be actuated to closed position and indicators 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 will be illuminated. If the ball moves through pin F, switch 43 will be actuated to closed position and indicators 6, 9 and 10 will be illuminated. If the ball moves through pin G, switch 44 will be actuated to closed position and only indicator 10 will be illuminated. It will be understood that upon each return of the ball the reset switch 78 is actuated to darken all of the indicators which have been illuminated.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the pattern of indicator illumination on the board 13 simulates the strike, split etc. pattern of conventional, triangularly arranged ten-pins, however, only a single row of pins (A-G) are utilized thus permitting a shortening of the alley area while still permitting the use of pins of conventional size and a bowling ball of conventional size and weight. The shortening of the alley area permits installation of the apparatus in a basement or den area but permits actual practice to improve the various aspects of the bowlers technique. Spot bowling, for example, can be practiced on the apparatus. An additional indicating lamp may be provided on the board 13, if desired, to indicate a power-on condition in the apparatus and that the apparatus is ready for use.

I claim:

1. A practice apparatus for perfecting bowling technique, said apparatus comprising means providing an elongated alley area down which a conventional bowling ball may be delivered and terminating at a row of seven bowling pins, the longitudinal axes of which all lie generally in a single vertical plane transverse to and at one end of said alley area, said pins being suspended over but out of engagement with said alley area, an array of ten visual indicators arranged above said pins and mounted on a vertical display board, said indicators being adapted to be electrically illuminated upon actuation of controlling switches and said indicators being numbered and positioned in the conventional triangular ten-pin fashion, a switch-actuating probe mounted to the rear of each of said pins for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis parallel to the plane of said row of pins when struck by a bowling ball delivered down the alley, two additional switch-actuating probes extending respectively into the space between the cen' tral pin in said row and the pin on its right and into the space between the central pin and the pin on its left, said additional probes being mounted for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis inclined to the plane of said row of pins, electrical means including controlling switches associated with said probes each actuated by pivotal movement of its respective probe completing a circuit to illuminate certain of but less than all of said visual indicators, movement of either of said additional probes to actuate its associated switch completing a circuit to illuminate all ten of said visual indicators.

2. A practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said visual indicators each comprises a translucent disc, a plurality of electrical light bulbs mounted adjacent said disc, each of said bulbs being energized by actuation of a single one of said controlling switches, energization of any one of said plurality of bulbs serving to illuminate said visual indicator.

5. A practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which a ball return chute is provided parallel to and at one side margin of said alley area, a reset switch mounted adjacent said return chute, a probe pivotally mounted to actuate said reset switch and having a portion extending into said return chute to be engaged by a bowling ball returning through said chute, and electrical means controlled by momentary actuation of said reset switch for resetting all of said controlling switches to deactuated position. 

1. A practice apparatus for perfecting bowling technique, said apparatus comprising means providing an elongated alley area down which a conventional bowling ball may be delivered and terminating at a row of seven bowling pins, the longitudinal axes of which all lie generally in a single vertical plane transverse to and at one end of said alley area, said pins being suspended over but out of engagement with said alley area, an array of ten visual indicators arranged above said pins and mounted on a vertical display board, said indicators being adapted to be electrically illuminated upon actuation of controlling switches and said indicators being numbered and positioned in the conventional triangular ten-pin fashion, a switch-actuating probe mounted to the rear of each of said pins for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis parallel to the plane of said row of pins when struck by a bowling ball delivered down the alley, two additional switch-actuating probes extending respectively into the space between the central pin in said row and the pin on its right and into the space between the central pin and the pin on its left, said additional probes being mounted for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis inclined to the plane of said row of pins, electrical means including controlling switches associated with said probes each actuated by pivotal movement of its respective probe completing a circuit to illuminate certain of but less than all of said visual indicators, movement of either of said additional probes to actuate its associated switch completing a circuit to illuminate all ten of said visual indicators.
 2. A practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said visual indicators each comprises a translucent disc, a plurality of electrical light bulbs mounted adjacent said disc, each of said bulbs being energized by actuation of a single one of said controlling switches, energization of any one of said plurality of bulbs serving to illuminate said visual indicator.
 3. A practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the center pin in said pin row is a conventionally sized three-dimesional bowling pin and the pins on each side of the center pin are two-dimensional profile representations of conventional bowling pins.
 4. A practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which a further switch is mounted adjacent said center pin and is actuated when said center pin is hit by the bowling ball but not sufficiently tilted to engage and move its adjacent probe to actuate its controlling switch.
 5. A practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which a ball return chute is provided parallel to and at one side margin of said alley area, a reset switch mounted adjacent said return chute, a probe pivotally mounted to actuate said reset switch and having a portion extending into said return chute to be engaged by a bowling ball returning through said chute, and electrical means controlled by momentary actuation of said reset switch for resetting all of said controlling switches to deactuated position. 